Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-12-22

bear roamed at Will. The lynx, the wolver-
Inc and even the wolf prowled in security
The Indian treIEbled but little at the men
ton of the white man. There were no ears
70 listen to the roar OF rivers or the wild
screams Of the owl by night. The north
winds swept down with maelstroms OF cold
SHOWS which lay white and clean until the
mild breath of the south converted them
into foaming torrents which fed out on the
bread Ontario Only block house or
primitive fort at the mouth of the Oswego
river foretold coming civilization.
The pioneers penetrated the region al last
and settled in the forest. some along
the beautiful Oswego river and some by the
Big and Little Salmon rivers. II was on
the banks Of the latter that the Smith family
settled. father, mother and five children.
There was a graceful bend in the Little
Salmon where the rude log hut was located,
high on hill. A great forest Of naples,
beech and heInlock enveloped the country
IN all directions. A continuous grove OF
chestnut trees formed the riparian foliage.
The father and sons battled with the big
trees and left their proud forms every where
sprawling on the ground At night the en-
tire family piled the torch TO rid the earth
sof the debris and hasten the progress OF a
square mile Of cleared ground for cultivation.
The first denuded acres were hastily APP
propriated TO corn and potatoes, that the
family might not starve during the follow
ing winter. Another acre was as rapidly
fenced in for the use OF ms majesty, the hog.
The contented little group knew that nothin g
but corn-rneal. potatoes and pork would COM
prise the daily bill Of fare for the next
several years.
Ii was AMID this noble enyirmment but
IN a humble cabin that Mary Smith, the ED
est child toiled by day and dreamed at night
of her lover, far away in Westchester Coun-
". from whence the Smiths had migrated.
L; is unnecessary 10 pause and tell the story
of this family, how il was reduced to pow
-erty by the theft of old TT nifty Church at
New York City Of all its inheritance; how,
despairing of securing fortune ID the East
1t had shouldered the axe OF the pioneer and
-emigrated West
Mary had acquired good education be-
fore she became pioneer, and, had ii not
been for her sweetly contented disposition,
would have felt bitterly the contrasted cir
.cumstances of her new life She was brave
and her dark gray eyes flashed sweetness
and courage on the neighborly pioneer
Young men. who came long distances COCA
sionally. for the purpose of seeing the fash.
She cared for none Of these and bantered
them for leaving the axe 10 rust, the eel to
escape the spear and the deer to flee TO Sc
-ques.ered haunts. They, with bashful gal
iantry. assured her Of objects in life far
gorthierof pursuit, beside which the moon
lost its loneliness and the sun was eclpsed
She was beautiful forest maid.
Poets have sung Of eyes that were blue,
hairs that were golden. that, after all, hid
hearts that were like rubber balls which
zone pinches only 10 see return TO rotundity.
NoyetstS have pictured superb forms and
faces that went hand in hand with indiges-
ton and biliou sness. Sculptors have i'm
mortalisei themselves by modelling exQui
site and blooming maids whose organs OF
digestion are ruined with confectioas and
creams. Mary Smith was somewhat like
your thoroughbred Kentucky horse-sound
in limb ana wind. She was, as might be
presumed. perfect in physique and vital
functions and the forest air painted for her
Z cheek which the peach envied and con-
plexion which no enterprising Ayers, with
testimonials from Potters and PATHS, could
rival with artificial patents
Young men came and went away, but
Mary awaited her lover TO whom she had
ing Christmas When WINTER at last ap-
preached the core was not plentiful in the
Din, the potatoes seemed meager for farnl-
j. Of six. and the porkers had TO be reduced
in number to furnish little ready capital
The prospect was not inviting for long
winter. Mary, with the perfect faith of q
lover even, could not forget that there were
no means Of communication in those DAYS.
and that Sam Houston. far away IN West
chester County, had sent no word since his
departure. OF course he would not fail to be
on hand if it were possible. But coad he
find his way up the Hudson and Mohawk.
through the vast forests to her lonely home.
Sometimes she covered her face with her
hands TO hide the picture Of his form buried
IN the SHOWS in an unmarked grave, or
Aoatiug down the river into which he had
STUMBLED At night She knew he would
make the attempt to reach her, hut was it
Ooesihie Tor him 70 succeed. Alter III she